Between the playground, stairs, P.E. class, extracurricular activities like sports, and the occasional field trip or field day, school is one of the most common places where a kid could be injured.
Do you have the proper emergency medical supplies on campus to administer care in a pinch? From falls to scrapes, to burns (and more), your staff should be prepared for a range of common injuries and know best practices for delivering first aid for kids.
Key Takeaways
- Many injuries that could happen at school, such as broken bones, third-degree burns, severe cuts and lacerations, and poisoning require immediate medical care, for which adults should call 911 as soon as possible.
- Plenty of other injuries (which are less severe) can be treated at school—at least at first—through the use of a well-stocked and up-to-date first aid kit.
- Your first aid kit should be well-stocked with essentials and should remain up-to-date. Many schools carry expired first aid kits which should be replaced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. First aid kits should be reviewed, restocked, and replenished as needed and, at the latest, in six-month intervals.
- Being prepared with the right emergency supplies can make all the difference in the safety and condition of a child. Even the healing of minor injuries can aided significantly when properly addressed and stabilized.
- It’s important to train your teachers and staff on the proper methods of administering first aid and CPR.
- You may be required by law, based on your geographic location, to carry a certain number of first aid kits within your school at all times. It’s important to check the requirements of your jurisdiction and maintain compliance. Your first aid kits should be distributed throughout the school so everyone has access to them in a pinch.
How to Perform First Aid on Kids
Make sure your classroom is stocked with emergency supplies to ensure prompt and effective response to any medical situation that may arise.
A great emergency medical kit can mean the difference between a minor injury and an injury that becomes serious. To be prepared for anything, your school should have a comprehensive medical kit on site. At School Safety Solution, one of our most complete emergency medical kits includes:
- Bandages, gauze, and adhesive tape
- EMT scissors
- A cervical collar
- Emergency blankets
- Antiseptic cleaning supplies
- Eye pads
- Nitrile gloves
- Emergency lighting
- Saline solution
- And triage tags
We also carry lightweight Bleed Control Kits and CPR barriers, which are excellent additions to a first aid kit.
It’s important to carry an appropriate number of first aid kits, bleed control kits, and CPR barriers for the size of your school and the number of students.
First Aid Tips for the 10 Most Common Kid Injuries:
Falls
Falls are the most common cause of injuries for kids, no matter their age—although the younger the child, the more fall-prone they’re likely to be. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), around 8,000 kids are sent to the emergency room every day in the United States for injuries related to a fall.
Many of these falls happen at school. Falls abound on playgrounds, where the monkey bars, slides, obstacle courses, and swing sets are somewhat of an “attractive nuisance” for kids who haven’t got their balance yet or simply play too hard at times.
Some fall injuries need trauma care. If a child has difficulty breathing, a sprain, potentially broken bones (especially around their neck, back, head, or pelvis), swelling, a headache, or lost consciousness because of their fall, they should be seen immediately by an emergency services provider.
In the meantime, if a fall has caused a broken bone, the injury should be stabilized immediately using basic first aid, like a splint to prevent the injured body part from moving around and causing more damage. Apply the splint tightly without cutting off circulation to the limb. Use the RICE method while you wait for further instructions from your emergency services healthcare provider: (R)est; (I)ce the affected area; apply (C)ompression bandages to support the area, stabilize it and reduce pain, and lastly, (E)levate the limb.
Burns
Burns can happen at school—and not just sunburns from an extended recess or a field trip on a sunny day. If a child has been burned, quickly take stock of the severity of the burned area. A first-degree burn will mean red skin that hasn’t blistered. Second-degree skin will show red skin and blisters. Third-degree burns will show skin that is badly charred or has turned white. Third-degree burns require immediate emergency care. Depending on the age and condition of the child, second-degree burns (especially severe ones) also require emergency medical care.
First-degree and mild second-degree burns may be able to be treated with first aid, especially initially. Rise the burned area in cool water for several minutes. This can help manage pain and inflammation. Next, cover the burn with a bandage. Don’t apply ointments; rather, occasionally wash the burn and replace the old bandage with a clean, fresh bandage.
Cuts and Lacerations
Every kid will find themselves with cuts and scrapes from time to time—after all, it’s a big world, with a lot of pavement to scrape a knee on. First aid for cuts and minor lacerations is pretty straightforward. The most important thing is to control bleeding and prevent an infection so the area can heal without adding an extra layer of complication.
If a cut or laceration occurs, apply pressure with a piece of gauze until the bleeding has come to a stop. Then, rinse the wound with soap and water for several minutes. Finally, apply an antibiotic ointment and apply a clean bandage. If bleeding continues for longer than 15 minutes, take the child for immediate emergency medical care.
Strains and Sprains
Strains and sprains are some of the most common playground injuries. Unfortunately, they can really hurt. When a kid experiences a strain or sprain, try to determine the severity. If the child is unable to move or walk, they should be taken to emergency medical services.
If the injury is less severe, it can be treated at first with tools found in a first aid kit. The RICE method as described above (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is the best recipe for healing. Depending on a child’s age and other conditions and medications, pain relief medication may be provided. Staying hydrated is important as the child begins healing.
Fractures
Broken bones and fractures can be extraordinarily painful. Children with fractures or broken bones should always be seen by a medical professional, and if the broken bone or fracture is in the leg, paramedics should be the ones to move the child, not teachers or other school staff.
Unless a bone is protruding from the broken skin, other fractures and broken bones can receive immediate attention with first aid en route to emergency medical services. The first course of action is to use a sling to prevent movement of the affected limb. Though it may be tempting, avoid giving the child pain medication, as it may interfere with sedation delivered by hospital staff. Instead, use ice to calm the pain.
Poisoning
Poisoning can be very serious. If a child has ingested a toxic substance or medication not meant for them, call poison control. If a child has difficulty breathing, experiences convulsions, or passes out, call 911 immediately. If a child has accidentally swallowed a battery, immediately call 911 and go to the emergency room.
Other common forms of poisoning include poison ivy rashes, which can cause red breakouts on a kid’s skin. Calamine lotion can be used to calm rashes from poison ivy. Severe rashes will require medical attention and may be prescribed a cream, steroids, medication, or an injection.
Choking
If a child appears to be choking, it’s imperative that you keep them calm (and remain calm yourself) so the child can focus on breathing. Have the child talk to you if they can, so you can monitor whether their airways still have space. If at any time the child cannot speak, 911 should be contacted immediately.
The Heimlich maneuver can be delivered to children as young as one year old. For children between the ages of one and eight, an adult should stand behind the child and surround their waist with the adult’s arms. With a fist, the adult should put their thumb between the child’s rib cage and belly button, and grab the fist with the other hand. Upward thrusts should be applied quickly until the choking hazard is ejected.
Sports Injuries
Some of the most common injuries kids suffer at school are sports injuries—including being struck by or hitting themselves against an object. Whether they’re hit by a ball or run into a wall, they could be seriously hurt and experience injuries to the head, face, neck, back, spine, or limbs.
If symptoms include memory loss, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, bleeding or swelling, headaches, or you believe a bone may have been broken or a spinal injury may have occurred, immediately seek emergency medical services.
Drowning
When a child is drowning, time is the most important factor. If a child is in a pool, you can dive in immediately. If a child is in the ocean, you should first attempt to reach them with a floatation device so you won’t be carried away in a current.
If a child is not able to breathe, CPR should be administered immediately. CPR begins with chest compressions, followed by rescue breaths. CPR should be continued until the child can breathe. Medical attention should always be sought, even if the child appears okay after they resume breathing. Potential latent side effects or complications may have developed and may not be visible to the untrained eye.
Bike Injuries
There are so many injuries that occur when a child rides a bike, especially if they’ve been able to weasel out of wearing a helmet and knee and elbow pads. Keep the above advice in mind, as cuts and lacerations, broken bones and fractures, and strains and sprains are all common bike injuries for kids.
Bottom Line
Kids will be kids. They’re always playing, and unfortunately, that means they’re constantly getting hurt. While we hope that injuries will always be minor, we must be prepared and have the proper tools and medical supplies on hand. With the right tools, we can treat kids with care and keep them in the best possible condition until they receive emergency medical care or until ambulatory services arrive.
Keeping schools safe doesn’t just mean preparing for lockdowns, covering windows, and practicing drills to cover what your school will do in the event of a natural disaster or an intruder. It also means keeping first aid supplies in stock and up to date, so that when a minor injury occurs on school grounds, you can keep the injured child in a stable and safe position.
School Safety Solution is Here to Help You Stock up for a Safe School Year
At School Safety Solution, we value the well-being of kids above everything else—just like you. The purpose behind the founding of School Safety Solution was and always has been to keep children safe in life’s unexpected situations and to keep them out of harm’s way.
We believe a proactive approach to school safety is one of the best measures parents and school administrative faculty can take to protect children on campus. That includes keeping our school buildings stocked with first aid kits that allow school staff to administer proper care in a pinch.
If you are interested in revamping the first aid equipment available to your school’s staff, we would love to assist you. You can contact our team of school safety experts at any time by calling 888.733.0406 or sending us an email at info@schoolsafetysolution.com.
